Strawberry Flan

Refreshing Fruit Flan – A Summer Delight

As the strawberry season comes to an end, we can’t help but think of all the delights we can create with these wonderful fruits. The fruit flan, with its velvety texture and intense flavor, is a perfect choice to make the most of the season's last strawberries. This easy and refined recipe will transform any meal into a true feast for the senses.

Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooling time: 12 hours (ideally overnight)
Total time: 12 hours and 20 minutes
Servings: 6

The ingredients you need are simple, but the key to success is choosing the right fruits. Use juicy fruits such as strawberries, peaches, nectarines, bananas, or plums to achieve a perfect flan. Each of these fruits brings a unique flavor note and a pleasant texture.

Ingredients:
- 400 ml liquid cream
- 300 g strawberry pulp (or other juicy fruits: cherries, apricots)
- 260 g sugar
- 8 g gelatin
- 20 ml rum

Making the flan is truly an art, but don’t worry, I’ll be with you every step of the way!

Step 1: Preparing the fruits
Start by cleaning and cutting the chosen fruits. If using strawberries, remove the stems and cut them in half. For peaches or nectarines, remove the pits and cut them into small cubes. Place the fruit pulp in a bowl and add the rum. Let the mixture sit for 10 minutes so that the rum flavor infuses the fruits.

Step 2: Preparing the cream
In a medium pot, pour in the liquid cream and add the sugar. Mix well with a whisk or spatula until the sugar completely dissolves. This step is essential to achieve a sweet and creamy flan.

Step 3: Heating the mixture
Place the pot over medium heat and bring the mixture to a boil. It’s important to stir constantly to prevent the cream from burning. Once it reaches boiling point, remove the pot from heat.

Step 4: Adding the gelatin
Meanwhile, hydrate the gelatin. Place the gelatin in cold water and let it swell for a few minutes. Then, add it to the hot cream mixture and stir well until the gelatin completely dissolves. This step is crucial to ensure a perfect consistency for the flan.

Step 5: Combining the ingredients
After the gelatin has dissolved, add the previously prepared fruit pulp to the mixture. Stir gently to avoid breaking the fruit's texture. Now, your flan is ready!

Step 6: Pouring into molds
Grease the small molds with a drop of almond oil to facilitate the flan's release once cooled. Pour the flan mixture into the molds and let them cool at room temperature.

Step 7: Cooling
Place the molds in the refrigerator and let the flan set for at least 12 hours. It’s recommended to leave it overnight for the best results.

Step 8: Serving
When it’s time to serve, carefully remove the flans from the molds. You can decorate them with fresh fruits, lightly warmed jam, fruit topping, or vanilla cream, just as I did. It’s a true explosion of flavors!

Helpful tips:
- If you want to experiment, you can add other flavors such as vanilla or cinnamon to give the flan an even richer taste.
- Using an immersion blender to puree the fruits will add a smoother texture, but you can also keep larger pieces for a more rustic look.
- If you don’t have gelatin on hand, you can try plant-based alternatives like agar-agar, but make sure to follow the proper usage instructions.

Nutritional values (approximate per serving):
- Calories: 320
- Protein: 3 g
- Fat: 22 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 1 g

Frequently asked questions:
1. Can I use other fruits?
Yes, you can experiment with any juicy fruits you prefer. Just make sure they are ripe and juicy for the best results.

2. How can I make the flan less sweet?
Reduce the amount of sugar according to your preferences. You can also add natural sweeteners like honey or maple syrup.

3. What are the alternatives for cream?
For a lighter version, you can use Greek yogurt or coconut cream to achieve a vegan flan.

4. What can I serve with the flan?
The fruit flan pairs perfectly with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a glass of fresh lemonade. Give it a refreshing touch with a cool drink like mint iced tea!

This fruit flan recipe is not only delicious but also brings a sense of nostalgia, reminding us of warm summer days and meals shared with loved ones. So, don’t hesitate to try this recipe and enjoy the last days of summer with a dessert that combines the flavors of fresh fruits with a velvety texture. Enjoy your meal!

 Ingredients: 400ml liquid cream 300g pulp of strawberries and other fleshy fruits (I had strawberries, cherries, and apricots) 260g sugar 8g gelatin 20ml rum

 Tags:  strawberry flan